Toronto Raptors Left Off Christmas Day Schedule Again
The Toronto Raptors find themselves sidelined once more this holiday season, as they were not selected to compete in the NBA’s Christmas Day lineup. This absence has become a recurring theme for the franchise, which has only made a holiday appearance twice throughout its history.
A Brief Christmas History
The Raptors’ inaugural Christmas game occurred 24 years ago, in 2001, when they faced the New York Knicks. That matchup marked a significant moment, as the Raptors were fresh off a promising second-round playoff run the previous spring, largely thanks to the star power of Vince Carter. However, the game didn’t go as hoped; Toronto fell behind early and ultimately lost 102-94. Morris Peterson led the Raptors with 22 points, while Carter struggled with 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting. The Knicks, on the other hand, were led by Allan Houston, who scored 34 points, with Latrell Sprewell contributing 21.
Fast forward to 2019, the Raptors entered the Christmas spotlight as the reigning champions, a status that typically earns a team a coveted spot on the holiday schedule. That year, they faced off against the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, history repeated itself as Toronto once again fell behind early, losing 118-102, with the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown leading all scorers with 30 points. Fred VanVleet stood out for the Raptors, scoring 27 points, while Chris Boucher added 24 off the bench.
The Road Ahead
As the Raptors look to the future, they remain hopeful for a Christmas Day game, yet their path to that goal appears steep. The franchise’s chances of being included in the holiday festivities seem to hinge on their performance in the regular season. With four seasons of playoff absence weighing heavily, the Raptors must work diligently to reclaim their place in the league’s hierarchy.
This year, they will instead settle for a Boxing Day matchup against the Washington Wizards, set to tip off at 7 PM ET at Capital One Arena. While the Christmas spotlight eludes them, the Raptors are determined to rise and reclaim their relevance—both in the league and in the hearts of basketball fans during the festive season.
